Device for selecting and removing stacks of flat items from a magazine

ABSTRACT

An eccentric having a top cam surface is rotatable from a position in which it supports laminations in a magazine to a position in which a stack of laminations of predetermined height is permitted to fall onto a locating nest, the eccentric being then movable to shift the selected stack into a laterally offset located position on the nest from which it can be deposited by the nest onto a transfer platform. During the latter movement the eccentric either moves an uppermost critically positioned lamination beneath a cutoff blade at the bottom of the magazine, or if said lamination will not pass beneath the cutoff blade, a spring allows the cam surface to move beneath said lamination so that lateral movement of the selected stack is accomplished without interference from the critically positioned lamination, the eccentric then supporting the laminations in the magazine until the next selecting cycle begins.

United States atent Koelsch Feb. 1, 1972 [54] DEVICE FOR SELECTING AND3,275,191 9/1966 MacDonald ..221/236 X REMOVING STACKS ()F FLAT ITEMS3,338,370 8/1967 Maulini ..22l/238 X FROM A MAGAZINE PrimaryExaminerRobert B. Reeves [72] Inventor: Lester M. Koelsch, Brookfield,Wis. Assistant Examiner-Thomas E. Kocovsky A M [73] Assignee: Ro-BandCorporation, Menomonee Falls, "omey arse & Morse" 57 ABSTRACT [22]Filed: An eccentric having a top cam surface is rotatable from a posi-{211 APPL No; 384,836 tion in which it supports laminations in amagazine to a position in which a stack of laminations of predeterminedheight is permitted to fall onto a locating nest, the eccentric beingthen [52] US. Cl ..22l/l76, 221/224, 221/238 movable to shift theselected stack into a laterally offset [51] Int. Cl ..B65h 5/00 locatedposition on the nest from which it can be deposited by [58] Field ofSearch ..221/175, 176, 182, 224, 231, the nest onto a transfer platform.During the latter movement 221/277, 296, 255, 262, 236, 238; 133/5, 6the eccentric either moves an uppermost critically positioned laminationbeneath a cutoff blade at the bottom of the [5 References Citedmagazine, or if said lamination will not pass beneath the cutoff blade,a spring allows the cam surface to move beneath said UNITED STATESPATENTS lamination so that lateral movement of the selected stack isaccomplished without interference from the critically posi- 2,721,68310/1955 Pottle ..221/236 X timed lamination, the eccentric thenSupporting the lamimb 13;} tt g g tions in the magazine until the nextselecting cycle begins. arnswo 3,187,940 6/1965 Harris ..221/236 X 16Claims, 17 Drawing Figures Q 35 i l 7 3 0 35 t a? g H 37 j 1 l l 34 2a27 at f V l Z l 3 22 21 ii 6 "113,

m2 ajamza SHEET NF 3 36 INVENTOR LESTER M. KOELSCH WQM ATTORNEYS FAYENYES $55 3 972 INVENTOR LESTER M. KOELSCH ATTORNEYS WENTEMB 11m 3,558,828SHEET! EMF 8 INVENTOR LESTER M. KOELSCH ATTORNEYS DEVICE FOR SELECTINGAND REMOVING STACKS OF FLAT ITEMS FROM A MAGAZINE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention isparticularly useful in selecting and delivering stacks of laminations ofpredetermined height which are used in the manufacture of parts forelectromagnets. However, the invention is capable of use in any fieldrequiring the selection ofstacks of flat items.

2. Description of the Prior Art In Farnsworth U.S. Pat. No. 3,108,715 adevice is disclosed for accomplishing a similar purpose. Here, however,the laminations are releasably held in the magazine by a releasablefriction-exerting device and this is not always a reliable type ofarrangement and the weight of the items in the magazine is limited.Furthermore, the device of the Farnsworth patent must always be used insuch a position that the laminations are fed downwardly by gravity. Inthe present invention the laminations are releasably held in themagazine by means forming a positive shelf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides cam meansmovable from a position in which it supports laminations in a magazineto a position in which a stack of laminations of predetermined height ispermitted to move onto a nest, the cam means being then movable againstthe selected stack to shift it laterally into an offset, properlylocated position on the nest from which it can be deposited by the nestonto a transfer platform. During the latter movement of the cam means iteither moves an uppermost critically positioned lamination beneath acutoff blade at the bottom of the magazine or, if said lamination willnot pass beneath the cutoff blade, spring means allows the cam surfaceof the cam means to move beneath the lamination so that lateral movementof the selected stack is accomplished without interference from thecritically positioned lamination, the cam means thereafter supportingthe laminations which remain in the magazine until the next cyclebegins.

A general object of the invention is to provide a device for selectingand removing a stack offiat items from a magazine in which the items inthe magazine are positively supported at the end of the magazine againstdischarge movement as distinguished from prior art wherein there isfrictional gripping.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the classdescribed in which a rotatable eccentric controls discharge of a stackof items from a magazine and also acts to laterally displace the removedstack to a position for further handling, while simultaneouslypreventing further discharge until the next cycle begins.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the classdescribed in which there is cam means operable in conjunction with acutoff blade, the high portion of the cam means determining the minimumstack height, and the maximum stack height being determined by theposition of a cu toff blade located to prevent lateral displacement of alowermost lamination in the magazine where any of its thickness is abovethe plane of the cutoff edge.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for selectingand removing a stack of flat items from a magazine in which cam means,in conjunction with a cutoff blade, operates to automatically determinewhether a critically positioned lamination adjacent the cutoff blade isto remain in the magazine or be the uppermost lamination on thedisplaced stack.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the classdescribed which can, with minor modifications, handle flat items ofvarious shapes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the classdescribed in which an infinitely fine adjustment for stack height may bereadily made.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the classdescribed in which the stack selection is accomplished in a foolproofmanner regardless of the weight of the laminations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for selectingand removing laminations or the like from a stack in which the cutoff ofthe uppermost lamination in the stack is accomplished regardless ofeffects of oil, grease, or burrs, which might cause laminations to sticktogether, and in which there is a minimum of possibility of trouble dueto abnormalities in the laminations such as taper.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the classdescribed which can operate in any desired position and which is notdependent upon a gravity type feed of the laminations from the magazine.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of theimproved device for selecting and removing a plurality of flat itemsfrom a magazine, and all of its parts and combinations, as set forth inthe claims, and all equivalents thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawings, illustrating severalpreferred embodiments of the invention, wherein the same referencenumerals designate the same parts in all of the views:

FIG. I is a vertical sectional view through the improved device;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3- 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partially diagrammatic elevational view showing theeccentric cam in a position supporting the laminations in the magazineagainst downward movement, the nest being withdrawn;

FIG. 5 is a similar view showing the nest in elevated receiving positionand showing the eccentric cam rotated to a position to allow a stack oflaminations from the magazine to fall onto the nest;

FIG. 6 is a similar view showing the eccentric cam swung to a positionto cause lateral displacement of the dropped stack with the eccentriccam again supporting the remaining laminations in the magazine;

FIG. 7 is a similar view showing the nest being lowered with theselected stack thereon;

FIG. 8 is a partially diagrammatic view looking down on the top of theeccentric cam and showing a bottommost lamination in the magazine beingsupported on top of the flat high portion of the cam;

FIG. 9 is a similar view showing the cam rotated l to a position toallow the laminations to drop;

FIG. 10 is a view showing various positions of the cam as it islaterally displacing the selected stack;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the device equipped for thehandling oflaminations of different contours, such as I-bar laminations;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing the position of the cam whenthe I-bar laminations are permitted to drop from the magazine;

FIG. I3 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing various stack shiftingpositions in the handling of I-bar-type laminations;

FIG. 14 is a plan view looking down on a transfer rail having an openingof the shape required for a nest of a type suitable for handling I-barlaminations;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a modified type of eccentric cam member;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view through the cam member of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 is a partially diagrammatic vertical sectional view showing atypical relationship between the cam surface of the eccentric and thecutoff blade.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly tothe drawings, first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is a suitableautomatically reversible prime mover having a projecting drive shaft 21which drives a gear 22 meshing with a pinion 23 which is keyed to ashaft 24.

Above the pinion 23 is a control member 25 or cam means which, in theprincipal form of the invention, is in the form of an eccentric throughwhich the shaft 24 eccentrically extends, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10,the member 24 being fast on the shaft. A washer 26 spaces the eccentricabove the pinion 23. The shaft 24 is journaled through a bore 27 in aplate 28, the shaft being of enlarged diameter above the plate toprovide a shoulder 29 which is normally maintained a short distanceabove the upper surface of the plate by the action of a spring 30surrounding the shaft, the spring acting against a washer 31 which isadjustably positioned by nuts 32 on a threaded upper end of the shaft24. The arrangement is such that forces acting to push the cam means 25downwardly can do so against the force of the spring 30 as permitted bythe spacing between the shoulder 29 and the upper surface of the plate28. The upper face of the eccentric 25 is flat as at 25' for half of itsarea and the other half is tapered slightly downwardly as at 33 (seeFIGS. 4-7, 8, 9 and 17). In the case of laminations having a thicknessof 0.025 of an inch the amount of taper (a) in FIG. 17 will be in theneighborhood of 0.025 of an inch for a purpose to be hereinafterexplained in greater detail.

The plate 28 has an opening 34 for receiving the lower end of a magazine35 which is shaped to accommodate the particular type of flat item beinghandled, the magazine having spaced guiding side projections 36 whichproject downwardly through the opening 34, and there being a spacebetween the side projections 36 to allow entry of the eccentric 25, andan oppositely disposed space between the side projections 36 to allowlateral shifting of the selected stack.

Adjustably supported on the plate 28 is a cutoff member 38 havingslotted openings 39 through which adjustment bolts 40 extend. The cutoffmember has a depending nose with a cutoff edge 41, the cutoff edge beinglocated, in the case of a magazine for handling laminations which are0.025 of an inch thick, about 0.010 of an inch above the high flatsurface 25 of the eccentric 25 to provide this much tolerance over thethickness ofa single lamination (see FIG. 17).

Suitably supported in a lower portion of the frame 37 is adouble-acting, double-ended pneumatic cylinder 42 having a piston rod 43which projects from both ends of the cylinder. The forward end of thepiston rod carries an adjustable fitting 44 which is pivoted to togglelinks 45 as at 46. The lower toggle link is pivoted as at 47 to bearingblocks 48 on the base of the machine, and the upper toggle link ispivotally connected as at 49 to a vertically reciprocable carriage 50which carries a locating nest element 51 on its upper surface, the nestbeing shaped to receive the particular shaped lamination with which themachine is operating. In the case of U laminations 52 of the type shownin FIGS. 3, 8, 9 and 10, the nest is shaped as illustrated with a frontstop extension 53 and with side guide extensions 54 (see also FIG, 2).In FIG. 1 the nest is shown in full lines in a nearly retractedposition. When the pneumatic cylinder is operated in an extendingdirection the toggle links 45 straighten out to elevate the nest to thebroken line position of FIG. 1, the nest passing through an opening 55in a transfer rail 56 (see FIG. 3). In the case of laminations of theshape shown at 52 in FIGS. 3, 8, 9 and 10 the opening 55 in the transferrail 56 will be of such restricted size that its forward edge 57 will beoverlapped by the front ends of the laminations 52, with the inner edgeofthe opening 55 spaced from an upstanding ledge 58 so as to provide aseat 59 for supporting the rear edges of the laminations, as shown inFIG. 3, when the latter are lowered onto the transfer rail by the nestas will be hereinafter explained.

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 show how the device may be adapted for handlingdifferently shaped laminations of the type generally referred to asI-bars. Here the magazine 35 (not shown) will be shaped to properlyposition and hold laminations of the shape shown at 152 at the angleshown in FIG. 11, and the cutoff edge 141 will be angled as illustratedinstead of straight as at 41 in FIG. 8. In addition the transfer railI56 of FIG. I4 will have an opening I55 of the shape shown in FIG. 14and the locating nest 153 will be shaped as illustrated.

Various types of control members may be employed to accomplish thefunction performed by the member 25. One modified type of member 25 hasa large flat high area and has an arcuate taper 129 extending for about180, there being an arcuate low area 130 which, when dealing withlaminations which are 0.025 of an inch thick, would be 0.025 of an inchbelow the main surface of the eccentric member 25. Separating thearcuate low surface 130 from the arcuate tapered surface is an arcuateslot 131.

OPERATION In operation of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, theeccentric control member 25 will start in the position shown in FIG. 4with its high side underlapping the laminations in the magazine tosupport them against movement out of the magazine, which movement may beurged either by gravity, in the case of the vertical installationillustrated, or by other discharge means in the case of otherinstallations. As shown in FIG. I7 there will be a tolerance of 0.010 ofan inch between the high surface of the cam and the edge 41 of thecutoff blade when operating with laminations which are 0.025 of an inchthick. The nest 51 is in the withdrawn position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.FIG. 8 also illustrates the position of the parts corresponding to theposition of FIG. 4. Next, the eccentric 25 is rotated in the directionindicated by the arrow to the position shown in FIG. 9 to remove thesupport for the laminations in the magazine, the pneumatic cylinder 42having been operated and being in a position to act through the togglelinks 45 in elevating the nest to the position shown in FIG. 5 toreceive a stack of descending laminations. While gravity action of thistype is the most convenient, it is to be pointed out that the structureof the present invention is such that the magazine can be disposed invarious positions because the eccentric control device 25 provides apositive supporting shelf when in the position of FIG. 4. Means otherthan gravity may therefore be provided to cause advancing movement ofthe laminations in the magazine from the position of FIG. 4 to theposition of FIG. 5.

In view of the fact that laminations may vary very slightly as tomaterial thickness it is important that a device operating on theprinciple of the present invention be capable of displacing a stack ofselected height within a tolerance of one lamination plus allowance forvariation in material thickness. Accordingly, when the eccentric 25 isrotated to the position of FIG. 6 to laterally displace the selectedstack, the construction is such that the eccentric cam meansautomatically makes a decision as to whether a lamination which iscritically positioned adjacent the cutoff edge is to remain in themagazine or be removed to form the uppermost lamination of the selectedstack. This function is performed by the cam surface 33 in combinationwith the ability of the cam to give in a downward direction against thespring 30 an amount as allowed by the shoulder 29 ofFIG. 1.

Accordingly, as the cam rotates from the position of FIG. 5 to theposition of FIG. 6, preferably in reverse rotation as shown by the arrowin FIG. 10, then if the critically positioned lamination has part of itsthickness below and part above the cutoff edge 41 the low part of thecam surface will wedge beneath this critically positioned lamination asthe eccentric rotates from the position of FIG. 9 toward the position ofFIG. I0, and the eccentric 25 will give in a downward direction againstthe action of the spring 30 and the critically positioned laminationwill stay in the magazine and the remaining laminations in the stack canbe smoothly displaced in a lateral direction as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10.Thus minor variations in lamination thickness which would affect theultimate height of the selected stack, such as might be caused by slightvariations in the thickness of individual laminations, by burrs, or bytapers in the feed material, will not cause jamming or interference withthe proper displacement of a stack of selected height as in FIG. 6.

If the top of the critically positioned lamination is below the top line(b) of FIG. 17, then the lamination will pass beneath the cutoff bladewithout difficulty, it being noted that there is a tolerance of 0.010 ofan inch when dealing with laminations which are 0.025 of an inch thick.

The height of the selected stack is determined by the adjusted positionof the receiving surface of the nest 51 when the nest is in the fullyraised, broken line position of FIG. 1. It is the distance between thereceiving surface of the nest and the cutoff edge 41 which determinesthe maximum height of the stack. The initial selection of laminations tobe displaced is a stack having a height equal to the distance betweenthe receiving surface of the nest, when in the broken line position ofFIG. 1, and the lowest portion of the eccentric cam 25. The position ofthe receiving surface of the nest may be varied by adjustment of the nut60 on the outer end of the piston rod 43 which controls the position ofa circular stop edge 61 on a stop member 62. The control member 25 musthave such thickness that its lower surface is not substantially higherthan and preferably somewhat below the lowest receiving position of thereceiving surface of the nest. In FIG. 1 the stacks to be selected arerelatively low in height. FIGS. 4-7 show eccentric controls of greaterthickness for displacing a stack of greater height.

After the stack has been displaced as in FIG. 6 the pneumatic cylinder42 retracts, causing lowering of the nest from the broken line positionof FIG. 1 to a position below the bottom of the transfer rail 56. Thisresults in placing the stack on the transfer rail 56 as shown in FIG. 3with the front and rear portions of the laminations overlapping theopening 55 through which the nest is withdrawn. The stack may then bedelivered to a point of use by reciprocating the transfer rail, and theopening 55 of the transfer rail may then be moved back into positionready to receive another stack.

Laminations of various shapes may be handled, it being merely necessarythat the magazine be shaped to properly feed and support laminations ofthe desired form and, in certain instances, the cutoff edge 41 must beangled or shaped to conform to the particular item being handled. InFIGS. 11-14 the I-shaped laminations 152 are handled in the same mannerheretofore described in connection with FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 except for thefact that they are disposed at a slight angle in the magazine and thecutoff blade 141 is similarly angled. Also, the eccentric 25 operates atone end to displace the laminations toward a straight position as shownby full lines in FIG. 13. The transfer rail opening and nest shape willbe as shown in FIG. 14 to accommodate the differently shapedlaminations, so that after the lamination stack is straightened out tothe position shown by full lines in FiG. 13, the inner edge of thebottommost lamination will be supported on the ledge 159 and its forwardportion will overlap the edge 157 of the opening of FIG. 14.

Various types of control members may be employed in lieu of theeccentric control member 25, it being merely necessary that the memberbe shiftable to and from a position at the end of a magazine and have acam surface which will function to carry out the objective heretoforedescribed. Another form of eccentric cam 125 is illustrated in FIGS. 15and 16. This device operates the same as the cam of FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.However, here the taper 129 is in the form of an are near the peripherywhich extends approximately 180 and which performs the same function asthe semicircular tapered portion 33 of FIGS. 8 and 9, the distancebetween the top 125 and the arcuate portion 130 being the thickness ofone lamination. Where the shape of the laminations requires it, it isentirely practical to employ more than one control member to act on thestack oflaminations. Also, where critical adjustment is not important alower edge portion of the magazine may perform the function ofthe cutoffblade 38.

As heretofore described, the motor is automatically reversible andadjusted to drive the eccentric I80 from the position of FIG. 8 to theposition of FIG. 9 and then to reverse and drive the eccentric l in thereverse direction indicated in FIG. 10. While this reverse rotation isthe most satisfactory, it is not essential and the action of FIG. 10 maybe accomplished by continuing the rotation in the same direction asillustrated in FIG. 9. There will be any suitable control means forcorrelating the action between the motor 20 and the pneumatic cylinder42 so that the arrival of the nest in the broken line position of FIG. 1is properly timed with the rotation of the cylinder.

It is to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exactdetails of construction shown and described, for obvious modificationswill occur to a person skilled in the art. Also, the control member 25may be used in multiple where the shape of the stacked item requiresmultiple forces to obtain positive direction of movement.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for selecting stacks of flat rigid items from a magazinehaving a discharge end with a discharge opening, said items having flatsides arranged transversely of the magazine, cutoff means in saiddischarge opening, a locating nest having a receiving surface supportedfor movement in a direction generally parallel to the axis of themagazine toward and away from a receiving position spaced apredetermined distance from said cutoff means depending upon the heightof the stack desired, a movably supported control member having a camsurface facing said discharge opening mounted for movement from anoverlapping position with respect to said discharge opening to blockdischarge of items therefrom to a position permitting discharge, saidcontrol member being also positioned and movable to cause lateraldisplacement of a discharged stack supported on said nest and being of athickness at least equal to the distance between the receiving surfaceof the nest and the cutoff means, and spring means associated with saidcontrol member whereby the latter may yield in a direction away from thedischarge opening of the magazine when a portion ofthe cam surface ispassing beneath the flat surface ofa flat item which is criticallypositioned with respect to said cutoff means.

2. In apparatus for selecting stacks of flat items from a magazinehaving a discharge end with a discharge opening, cutoff means in saiddischarge opening, a locating nest having a receiving surface supportedfor movement in a direction generally parallel to the axis of themagazine toward and away from a receiving position spaced apredetermined distance from said cutoff means depending upon the heightof the stack desired, a movably supported control member mounted formovement from an overlapping position with respect to said dischargeopening to block discharge of items therefrom to a position permittingdischarge, said control member being also positioned and movable tocause lateral displacement of a discharged stack supported on said nestand being of a thickness at least equal to the distance between thereceiving surface of the nest and the cutoff means, and a transfer railhaving an opening through which the nest is adapted to move from awithdrawn position beyond the transfer rail to a receiving positionbetween the transfer rail and the magazine in a position to receiveitems thereon, said opening being of restricted size to support thestack of laminations when the nest is withdrawn through the opening.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the nest has upstandingguiding projections which are so positioned as to align the stack withthe opening in the transfer rail so that it is supported on the transferrail after the nest has been withdrawn through the opening in the rail.

4. In apparatus for selecting stacks of flat items from a magazinehaving a discharge end with a discharge opening. cutoff means in saiddischarge opening, a locating nest having a receiving surface supportedfor movement in a direction generally parallel to the axis of themagazine toward and away from a receiving position spaced apredetermined distance from said cutoff means depending upon the heightof the stack desired, a movably supported control member in the form ofan eccentrically mounted cylinder mounted for rotation on an axis whichis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the magazine formovement from an overlapping position with respect to said dischargeopening to block discharge of items therefrom to a position permittingdischarge, said control member being also positioned and movable tocause lateral displacement of a discharged stack supported on said nestand being of a thickness at least equal to the distance between thereceiving surface of the nest and the cutoff means.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which said control member has acam surface facing said discharge opening and in which said controlmember is mounted for yielding movement in a direction away from thedischarge opening of the magazine when a portion of the cam surface ispassing beneath a flat item which is critically positioned with respectto said cutoff means.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the nest has upstandingguiding projections positioned to guide and locate the displaced stackas it is pushed by the control member.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which there is means forreciprocating the nest and in which there is an adjustment on saidreciprocating means for adjusting the receiving position of thereceiving surface to control the height of the removed stack. 1

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which there is a transfer railhaving an opening through which the nest is adapted to move, saidopening being of restricted size to support the stack of laminationswhen the nest is withdrawn through the opening.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the nest has upstandingguiding projections which are so positioned as to align the stack withthe opening in the transfer rail so that it is supported on the transferrail after the nest has been withdrawn through the opening in the rail.

10. In apparatus for selecting stacks of flat items from a magazinehaving a discharge end with a discharge opening. cutoff means in saiddischarge opening. means forming a receiving surface supported apredetermined distance from said cutoff means depending upon the heightof the stack desired, an eccentrically mounted control cylinderrotatable on an axis which is generally parallel with the longitudinalaxis of the magazine for movement from an overlapping position withrespect to said discharge opening to block discharge of items therefromto a position permitting discharge, said control cylinder also beingpositioned to cause lateral displacement of discharged stack supportedon said receiving surface when the cylinder is eccentrically rotated.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which said cylinder is of athickness greater than the distance between the receiving surface andthe cutoff means.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which about half of the topsurface of the cylindrical control member is flat and in which the otherapproximate half is tapered downwardly from a bisecting diameter towardthe periphery.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the top of the controlcylinder has a tapered cam portion positioned to wedge beneath acritically positioned lamination upon rota tion of the control cylinder.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the magazine is verticaland in which the discharge is by gravity.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the stack of flat itemshas a side opening and in which the cutoff means is elongated andprojects into said opening and has a cutoff edge.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which said cutoff means istransversely adjustable.

1. An apparatus for selecting stacks of flat rigid items from a magazinehaving a discharge end with a discharge opening, said items having flatsides arranged transversely of the magazine, cutoff means in saiddischarge opening, a locating nest having a receiving surface supportedfor movement in a direction generally parallel to the axis of themagazine toward and away from a receiving position spaced apredetermined distance from said cutoff means depending upon the heightof the stack desired, a movably supported control member having a camsurface facing said discharge opening mounted for movement from anoverlapping position with respect to said discharge opening to blockdischarge of items therefrom to a position permitting discharge, saidcontrol member being also positioned and movable to cause lateraldisplacement of a discharged stack supported on said nest and being of athickness at least equal to the distance between the receiving surfaCeof the nest and the cutoff means, and spring means associated with saidcontrol member whereby the latter may yield in a direction away from thedischarge opening of the magazine when a portion of the cam surface ispassing beneath the flat surface of a flat item which is criticallypositioned with respect to said cutoff means.
 2. In apparatus forselecting stacks of flat items from a magazine having a discharge endwith a discharge opening, cutoff means in said discharge opening, alocating nest having a receiving surface supported for movement in adirection generally parallel to the axis of the magazine toward and awayfrom a receiving position spaced a predetermined distance from saidcutoff means depending upon the height of the stack desired, a movablysupported control member mounted for movement from an overlappingposition with respect to said discharge opening to block discharge ofitems therefrom to a position permitting discharge, said control memberbeing also positioned and movable to cause lateral displacement of adischarged stack supported on said nest and being of a thickness atleast equal to the distance between the receiving surface of the nestand the cutoff means, and a transfer rail having an opening throughwhich the nest is adapted to move from a withdrawn position beyond thetransfer rail to a receiving position between the transfer rail and themagazine in a position to receive items thereon, said opening being ofrestricted size to support the stack of laminations when the nest iswithdrawn through the opening.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 inwhich the nest has upstanding guiding projections which are sopositioned as to align the stack with the opening in the transfer railso that it is supported on the transfer rail after the nest has beenwithdrawn through the opening in the rail.
 4. In apparatus for selectingstacks of flat items from a magazine having a discharge end with adischarge opening, cutoff means in said discharge opening, a locatingnest having a receiving surface supported for movement in a directiongenerally parallel to the axis of the magazine toward and away from areceiving position spaced a predetermined distance from said cutoffmeans depending upon the height of the stack desired, a movablysupported control member in the form of an eccentrically mountedcylinder mounted for rotation on an axis which is generally parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the magazine for movement from an overlappingposition with respect to said discharge opening to block discharge ofitems therefrom to a position permitting discharge, said control memberbeing also positioned and movable to cause lateral displacement of adischarged stack supported on said nest and being of a thickness atleast equal to the distance between the receiving surface of the nestand the cutoff means.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which saidcontrol member has a cam surface facing said discharge opening and inwhich said control member is mounted for yielding movement in adirection away from the discharge opening of the magazine when a portionof the cam surface is passing beneath a flat item which is criticallypositioned with respect to said cutoff means.
 6. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 4 in which the nest has upstanding guiding projections positionedto guide and locate the displaced stack as it is pushed by the controlmember.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which there is means forreciprocating the nest and in which there is an adjustment on saidreciprocating means for adjusting the receiving position of thereceiving surface to control the height of the removed stack. 8.Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which there is a transfer rail havingan opening through which the nest is adapted to move, said opening beingof restricted size to support the stack of laminations when the nest iswithdrawn through the opening.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 inwhich the nest has upstanding guiding projections wHich are sopositioned as to align the stack with the opening in the transfer railso that it is supported on the transfer rail after the nest has beenwithdrawn through the opening in the rail.
 10. In apparatus forselecting stacks of flat items from a magazine having a discharge endwith a discharge opening, cutoff means in said discharge opening, meansforming a receiving surface supported a predetermined distance from saidcutoff means depending upon the height of the stack desired, aneccentrically mounted control cylinder rotatable on an axis which isgenerally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the magazine formovement from an overlapping position with respect to said dischargeopening to block discharge of items therefrom to a position permittingdischarge, said control cylinder also being positioned to cause lateraldisplacement of discharged stack supported on said receiving surfacewhen the cylinder is eccentrically rotated.
 11. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 10 in which said cylinder is of a thickness greater than thedistance between the receiving surface and the cutoff means. 12.Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which about half of the top surfaceof the cylindrical control member is flat and in which the otherapproximate half is tapered downwardly from a bisecting diameter towardthe periphery.
 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the top ofthe control cylinder has a tapered cam portion positioned to wedgebeneath a critically positioned lamination upon rotation of the controlcylinder.
 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the magazine isvertical and in which the discharge is by gravity.
 15. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 10 in which the stack of flat items has a side openingand in which the cutoff means is elongated and projects into saidopening and has a cutoff edge.
 16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 inwhich said cutoff means is transversely adjustable.